Rebellion of God’s People

The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning (A)Judah and Jerusalem, which he saw during the [a]reigns of (B)Uzziah, (C)Jotham, (D)Ahaz, and (E)Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

(F)Listen, heavens, and hear, (G)earth;
For the Lord has spoken:
(H)Sons I have raised and brought up,
But they have (I)revolted against Me.
An ox knows its owner,
And a donkey its master’s manger,
But Israel (J)does not know,
My people (K)do not understand.”

Oh, sinful nation,
People weighed down with guilt,
[b](L)Offspring of evildoers,
Sons who (M)act corruptly!
They have (N)abandoned the Lord,
They have (O)despised the Holy One of Israel,
They have turned away [c]from Him.

Where will you be stricken again,
As you (P)continue in your rebellion?
The entire head is (Q)sick
And the entire heart is faint.
(R)From the sole of the foot even to the head
There is (S)nothing healthy in it,
Only bruises, slashes, and raw wounds;
(T)Not pressed out nor bandaged,
Nor softened with oil.

Your (U)land is desolate,
Your cities are burned with fire;
As for your fields, strangers are devouring them in front of you;
It is desolation, as overthrown by strangers.
The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard,
Like a watchman’s hut in a cucumber field, like a city under watch.
(V)If the Lord of armies
Had not left us a few (W)survivors,
We would be like (X)Sodom,
We would be like Gomorrah.

God Has Had Enough

10 Hear (Y)the word of the Lord,
You rulers of (Z)Sodom;
Listen to the instruction of our God,
You people of Gomorrah!
11 (AA)What are your many sacrifices to Me?”
Says the Lord.
“I [d]have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
And the fat of fattened cattle;
And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats.
12 When you come (AB)to appear before Me,
Who requires [e]of you this trampling of My courtyards?
13 Do not go on bringing your worthless offerings,
(AC)Incense is an abomination to Me.
(AD)New moon and Sabbath, the (AE)proclamation of an assembly—
I cannot (AF)endure wrongdoing and the festive assembly.
14 [f]I hate your new moon festivals and your (AG)appointed feasts,
They have become a burden to Me;
I am (AH)tired of bearing them.
15 So when you (AI)spread out your hands in prayer,
(AJ)I will hide My eyes from you;
Yes, even though you (AK)offer many prayers,
I will not be listening.
(AL)Your hands are [g]covered with blood.

16 (AM)Wash yourselves, (AN)make yourselves clean;
(AO)Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight.
(AP)Stop doing evil,
17 Learn to do good;
(AQ)Seek justice,
Rebuke the oppressor,
(AR)Obtain justice for the orphan,
Plead for the widow’s case.

Invitation to Debate

18 “Come now, and (AS)let us [h]debate your case,”
Says the Lord,
(AT)Though your sins are as scarlet,
They shall become as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be like wool.
19 (AU)If you are willing and obedient,
You will (AV)eat the best of the land;
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
You will be (AW)devoured by the sword.”
For (AX)the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

Zion Corrupted; Will Be Redeemed

21 How the faithful city has become a (AY)prostitute,
She who was full of justice!
Righteousness once dwelt in her,
But now murderers.
22 Your silver has become [i]waste matter,
Your drink diluted with water.
23 Your (AZ)rulers are rebels
And companions of thieves;
Everyone (BA)loves a bribe
And chases after gifts.
They (BB)do not obtain justice for the [j]orphan,
Nor does the widow’s case come before them.

24 Therefore the Lord [k]God of armies,
The (BC)Mighty One of Israel, declares,
“Ah, I will have satisfaction against My adversaries,
And (BD)avenge Myself on My enemies.
25 I will also turn My hand against you,
And (BE)smelt away your impurities as with lye;
And I will remove all your slag.
26 Then I will restore your (BF)judges as at first,
And your counselors as at the beginning;
After that you will be called the (BG)city of righteousness,
A faithful city.”

27 Zion will be (BH)redeemed with justice
And her [l]repentant ones with righteousness.
28 But [m]wrongdoers and sinners together will be (BI)broken,
And those who abandon the Lord will come to an end.
29 [n]You certainly will be ashamed of the [o](BJ)oaks which you have desired,
And you will be embarrassed by the (BK)gardens which you have chosen.
30 For you will be like an [p]oak whose (BL)leaf withers away,
Or like a garden that has no water.
31 The strong man will become like [q]flax fiber,
And his work a spark.
So they shall both (BM)burn together
And there will be (BN)no one to extinguish them.

Footnotes

  1. Isaiah 1:1 Lit days
  2. Isaiah 1:4 Lit Seed
  3. Isaiah 1:4 Lit backward
  4. Isaiah 1:11 Or am sated with
  5. Isaiah 1:12 Lit of your hand
  6. Isaiah 1:14 Lit My soul hates
  7. Isaiah 1:15 Lit full of
  8. Isaiah 1:18 Or argue
  9. Isaiah 1:22 Lit dross
  10. Isaiah 1:23 Or fatherless
  11. Isaiah 1:24 Heb YHWH, usually rendered Lord
  12. Isaiah 1:27 Or returning
  13. Isaiah 1:28 Lit a breaking of wrongdoers and sinners together
  14. Isaiah 1:29 As in some mss; MT They
  15. Isaiah 1:29 Or terebinths
  16. Isaiah 1:30 Or terebinth
  17. Isaiah 1:31 Lit tow

This is the vision which Isaiah, son of Amoz, saw about Judah and Jerusalem at the time of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.

The Lord Accuses Israel of Sin

Listen, heaven, and pay attention, earth!
The Lord has spoken,
“I raised ⌞my⌟ children and helped them grow,
but they have rebelled against me.
Oxen know their owners,
and donkeys know where their masters feed them.
But Israel doesn’t know ⌞its owner⌟.
My people don’t understand ⌞who feeds them⌟.

“How horrible it will be for a nation that sins.
⌞Its⌟ people are loaded down with guilt.
They are descendants of evildoers
and destructive children.
They have abandoned the Lord.
They have despised the Holy One of Israel.
They have turned their backs on him.

“Why do you still want to be beaten?
Why do you continue to rebel?
Your whole head is infected.
Your whole heart is failing.
From the bottom of your feet to the top of your head
there is no healthy spot left on your ⌞body⌟
only bruises, sores, and fresh wounds.
They haven’t been cleansed, bandaged,
or soothed with oil.

“Your country is devastated.
Your cities are burned down.
Your fields are destroyed right before your eyes by foreigners.
Your fields are devastated and taken over by foreigners.
My people Zion are left like a hut in a vineyard,
like a shack in a cucumber field,
like a city under attack.”

If the Lord of Armies hadn’t left us a few survivors,
we would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Israel’s Corrupt Religion

10 Listen to the Lord’s word, you rulers of Sodom!
Pay attention to the teachings from our God, you people of Gomorrah!
11 The Lord asks, “What do your many animal sacrifices mean to me?
I’ve had enough of your burnt offerings of rams
and enough fat from your fattened calves.
I’m not pleased with the blood of bulls, lambs, or male goats.
12 When you appear in my presence,
who asked you to trample on my courtyards?
13 Don’t bring any more worthless grain offerings.
Your incense is disgusting to me,
so are your New Moon Festivals, your days of rest—holy days,
and the assemblies you call.
I can’t stand your evil assemblies.
14 I hate your New Moon Festivals and your appointed festivals.
They’ve become a burden to me,
and I’m tired of putting up with them.
15 So when you stretch out your hands ⌞in prayer⌟,
I will turn my eyes away from you.
Even though you offer many prayers,
I will not listen because your hands are covered with blood.

The Lord Invites Israel to Turn Away from Sin

16 “Wash yourselves! Become clean!
Get your evil deeds out of my sight.
Stop doing evil.
17 Learn to do good.
Seek justice.
Arrest oppressors.
Defend orphans.
Plead the case of widows.”

18 “Come on now, let’s discuss this!” says the Lord.
“Though your sins are bright red,
they will become as white as snow.
Though they are dark red,
they will become as white as wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the best from the land.
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
you will be destroyed by swords.”
The Lord has spoken.

Jerusalem’s Future

21 How the faithful town has become a prostitute!
She was full of justice,
and righteousness lived in her.
But now murderers live there!
22 Your silver is not pure.
Your wine is watered down.
23 Your rulers are rebels, friends with thieves.
They all love bribes and run after gifts.
They never defend orphans.
They don’t notice the widows’ pleas.

24 That’s why the Lord, the Lord of Armies, the Mighty One of Israel, says,

“How horrible it will be when I take revenge on my opponents!
I will avenge myself against my enemies.
25 I will turn my power against you.
I will remove your impurities with bleach.
I will get rid of all your impurities.
26 I will give you judges like you had long ago,
advisers like you had in the beginning.
After that you will be called the Righteous City,
the Faithful Town.”

27 Zion will be pardoned by ⌞the Lord’s⌟ justice,
and those who return will be pardoned
by ⌞the Lord’s⌟ righteousness.
28 Rebels and sinners will be crushed at the same time,
and those who abandon the Lord will come to an end.
29 You will be ashamed of the oaks that you wanted to worship
and embarrassed by the garden that you have chosen for your gods.
30 You will be like an oak whose leaves wither
and like a garden without water.
31 Strong people will become tinder for a fire,
and their work will be the spark.
Both of them will burn together,
and there will be no one to put out the fire.

Rebelión del pueblo de Dios

Visión que tuvo[a] Isaías, hijo de Amoz, con relación a Judá y Jerusalén(A), en los días de Uzías(B), Jotam(C), Acaz(D) y Ezequías(E), reyes de Judá.

Oigan, cielos(F), y escucha, tierra(G),
Porque el Señor habla:
«Hijos(H) crié y los hice crecer,
Pero ellos se han rebelado contra Mí(I).
El buey conoce a su dueño
Y el asno el pesebre de su amo;
Pero Israel no conoce(J),
Mi pueblo no tiene entendimiento(K)».

¡Ay, nación pecadora,
Pueblo cargado de iniquidad,
Generación[b] de malvados(L),
Hijos corrompidos(M)!
Han abandonado al Señor(N),
Han despreciado al Santo de Israel(O),
Se han apartado de Él[c].

¿Dónde más serán castigados?
¿Continuarán en rebelión(P)?
Toda cabeza está enferma(Q),
Y todo corazón desfallecido.
Desde la planta del pie hasta la cabeza(R)
No hay nada sano en él(S),
Sino golpes, verdugones y heridas recientes;
No han sido curadas[d], ni vendadas(T),
Ni suavizadas con aceite.

La tierra de ustedes está desolada(U),
Sus ciudades quemadas por el fuego,
Su suelo lo devoran los extraños delante de ustedes,
Y es una desolación, como destruida por extraños.
La hija de Sión ha quedado como cobertizo en una viña,
Como choza en un pepinar, como ciudad sitiada.
Si el Señor de los ejércitos(V)
No nos hubiera dejado algunos sobrevivientes(W),
Seríamos como Sodoma,
Y semejantes a Gomorra(X).

10 Oigan la palabra del Señor(Y),
Gobernantes de Sodoma(Z).
Escuchen la instrucción de nuestro Dios,
Pueblo de Gomorra:
11 «¿Qué es para Mí la abundancia de sus sacrificios?»,
Dice el Señor.
«Cansado estoy de holocaustos de carneros,
Y de sebo de ganado cebado;
La sangre de novillos, corderos y machos cabríos no me complace(AA).
12 Cuando vienen a presentarse delante de Mí(AB),
¿Quién demanda esto de ustedes[e], de que pisoteen[f] Mis atrios?
13 No traigan más sus vanas ofrendas,
El incienso me es abominación(AC).
Luna nueva y día de reposo(AD), el convocar asambleas(AE):
¡No tolero iniquidad y asamblea solemne(AF)!
14 Sus lunas nuevas y sus fiestas señaladas las aborrece Mi alma(AG).
Se han vuelto una carga para Mí,
Estoy cansado de soportarlas(AH).
15 Cuando extiendan sus manos[g](AI),
Esconderé Mis ojos de ustedes(AJ).
Sí, aunque multipliquen las oraciones,
No escucharé(AK).
Sus manos[h] están llenas de sangre(AL).

16 »Lávense(AM), límpiense(AN),
Quiten la maldad de sus obras de delante de Mis ojos(AO).
Cesen de hacer el mal(AP).
17 Aprendan a hacer el bien,
Busquen la justicia(AQ),
Reprendan al opresor,
Defiendan[i] al huérfano(AR),
Aboguen por la viuda.

18 »Vengan ahora, y razonemos(AS)»,
Dice el Señor,
«Aunque sus pecados sean como la grana,
Como la nieve serán emblanquecidos(AT).
Aunque sean rojos como el carmesí,
Como blanca lana quedarán.
19 Si ustedes quieren y obedecen(AU),
Comerán lo mejor de la tierra(AV).
20 Pero si rehúsan y se rebelan,
Por la espada serán devorados(AW)».
Ciertamente, la boca del Señor ha hablado(AX).

21 ¡Cómo se ha convertido en ramera(AY) la ciudad fiel,
La que estaba llena de justicia!
Moraba en ella la rectitud,
Pero ahora, asesinos.
22 Tu plata se ha vuelto escoria,
Tu vino está mezclado con agua.
23 Tus gobernantes son rebeldes
Y compañeros de ladrones(AZ);
Cada uno ama el soborno(BA)
Y corre tras las dádivas.
No defienden[j] al huérfano,
Ni llega a ellos la causa de la viuda(BB).

Juicio y redención de Jerusalén

24 Por tanto, declara el Señor, Dios[k] de los ejércitos,
El Poderoso de Israel(BC):
«¡Ah!, me libraré de Mis adversarios,
Y me vengaré de Mis enemigos(BD).
25 También volveré Mi mano contra ti,
Te limpiaré de tu escoria(BE) como con lejía,
Y quitaré toda tu impureza[l].
26 Entonces restauraré tus jueces como al principio(BF),
Y tus consejeros como al comienzo.
Después de lo cual serás llamada Ciudad de Justicia(BG),
Ciudad Fiel».

27 Sión será redimida(BH) con juicio,
Y sus arrepentidos con justicia.
28 Pero los transgresores y los pecadores serán aplastados[m] a una,
Y los que abandonan al Señor perecerán(BI).
29 Ciertamente ustedes se avergonzarán[n] de las encinas[o](BJ) que han deseado,
Y se avergonzarán de los jardines(BK) que han escogido.
30 Porque ustedes serán como encina[p] cuya hoja está marchita(BL),
Y como jardín en que no hay agua.
31 El fuerte se convertirá en estopa,
Y su trabajo en chispa.
Arderán ambos a una(BM),
Y no habrá quien los apague(BN).

Footnotes

  1. Isaías 1:1 Lit. vio.
  2. Isaías 1:4 Lit. simiente.
  3. Isaías 1:4 Lit. hacia atrás.
  4. Isaías 1:6 Lit. exprimidas.
  5. Isaías 1:12 Lit. busca esto de su mano.
  6. Isaías 1:12 Lit. el hollar de.
  7. Isaías 1:15 Lit. palmas.
  8. Isaías 1:15 Lit. palmas.
  9. Isaías 1:17 O vindicad.
  10. Isaías 1:23 O No vindican.
  11. Isaías 1:24 Heb. YHWH, generalmente traducido Señor.
  12. Isaías 1:25 Lit. mezcla.
  13. Isaías 1:28 Lit. el aplastamiento de transgresores y pecadores será.
  14. Isaías 1:29 Así en algunos mss.; en el T.M., ellos se avergonzarán.
  15. Isaías 1:29 O los terebintos.
  16. Isaías 1:30 O terebinto.